took that time to educate himself and his people. >> reporter: absolutely critical. i was at a playground the other day, george, right on the outskirts of the township of alexandria. that's when nelson mandela moved first when he came from the countryside. he moved to johannesburg. he lived in this township, segregated township. there i was the other day. these four little girls. and i asked them, what nelson mandela meant to them? we could go to school. we wouldn't have this playground if it wasn't for nelson mandela. they love school. and what's your favorite subject? one girl said math. the next girl said afrikaans. two of the four little black girls said their favorite subject in school was the language of their oppressors, now, fellow citizens. afrikaans. that's how this country has a long way to go, still. i saw vivid evidence in these girls. >> they are picking up on the example of nelson mandela right there. he went to prison and insisted he learn -- as we see tony blair, kofi annan, the former secretary-general, that he learn afrikaans, the language of his o